B.C. Ferries answers your most common questions, including: Why is Wi-Fi so bad?

The most common questions — in no particular order — asked by B.C. Ferries passengers, and the corporation’s answers:

Why is your Wi-Fi service poor?
There are several challenges associated with providing reliable ship-to-shore Wi-Fi connectivity. These include the moving vessel, islands blocking the signals and hundreds of users logging on at one time. We are aware that our Wi-Fi does not currently meet our customers’ expectations.

Other modes of transportation, such as airlines and rail, use satellite-based systems, which are faster and more reliable, but are also very costly. B.C. Ferries is exploring the option of a two-tiered system where we continue to offer the current service free of charge, and a satellite-based system for which customers would pay a fee. A final decision has not yet been made.

Should I book a reservation?
If there is a specific sailing you would like to be on and you don’t have time to wait at the terminal, then we recommend booking a reservation. As traffic volume has increased, without a reservation it might be more challenging to sail at the time of your choice. B.C. Ferries significantly reduced the cost of reservations to make it easier for our customers to book in advance.